OFW sends money home, becomes millionaire in Dubai

Image: Screengrab from YouTube/Al Ansari Exchange

A Filipino domestic worker in Dubai, United Arab Emirates won 1 million dirhams (around P14.5 million) in a raffle for remitting to her family in the Philippines.

“I was very surprised to be this year’s millionaire,” Gina Soriano, the fifth winner of the raffle’s grand prize, told Gulf News yesterday, Aug. 29. “This is a life-changing event that will surely help me improve my life and realize my dreams, including providing a decent life for my family.”

Soriano beat the odds after being the lucky pick out of five million raffle entries.

Apparently, Soriano, who has been working in the UAE for ten years, sent 1,695 dirhams (about P24,600) to the family she left behind, the report stated. Al Ansari Exchange, the UAE-based foreign exchange and money transfer company, held a raffle in connection with their two-month rewards promotion.

Soriano was given a raffle coupon after sending money home. The raffle included prizes such as a brand new car and money. Out of the five million entries all over the UAE, nine coupons, including Soriano’s, were drawn on Aug. 14 for the pre-qualifying round.

The final draw for the 1 million dirhams grand prize was made last Tuesday, Aug. 28. The draw was streamed live and Soriano was declared the winner.

“We hope that the cash prize will make a positive difference in her life and her family’s life,” Rashid Al Ansari, general manager of the company, said in the report. “We were also overwhelmed by the number of entries we received during this year’s promo.”

Aside from Soriano, two other Filipinos were awarded with prizes from the raffle. Honesto Dela Cruz won 10,000 dirhams (around P145,500) while expat Antonio Artisuela Cano took home a Mercedes Benz 2018 model. Kate Matriano/JB

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